Artistic Mik ready to Cast a spell in Doncaster

Dan Whiteley

Blending irreverent, zany comedy with a rich musical tapestry of blues, country, and rock, Mik Artistik’s reputation has snowballed in recent years.

The West Yorkshireman – real name Michael Gallagher – is now firmly established as the wacky, eccentric uncle figure of the Yorkshire music scene.

Aided by multi-instrumentalists Benson Walker and Jonny Flockton – who provide an eclectic boogie-woogie backdrop for his deadpan, non-sequitur ramblings – Artistik’s shows are a celebration of the absurd, full of whimsical outbursts that bewilder some and delight many.

His dry-humoured songs give listeners a glimpse into his unique take on the more mundane realities of life, for example Rex is about a dog he now unfortunately ‘shares with his ex’, while Cheap Watch is about a wristwatch which ‘cost him three quid but lasted four years’.

In 2014, the band experienced something of a mainstream breakthrough, with an appearance on Channel 4’s Random Acts show, as well as playing Glastonbury Festival and the Edinburgh Fringe.